King Harald of Norway has announced his retirement. But fear not, His Majesty is not stepping away from the throne, but his lifelong hobby – sailing.
His Majesty has made the decision to no longer participate in international competitions, something he has done all of his adult life.
The King, aged 85, has recently been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for an infection.
Sailing has been a lifelong passion for King Harald, and no doubt, the decision to call an end to his competitive career will have been a difficult one.
Well into his eighties, the Norwegian monarch participated in international competitions.
In 2019, King Harald joined King Felipe of Spain in Mallorca for a sailing regatta – one of his last international competitions before the pandemic hit.
In his younger years, His Majesty competed in three Olympic Games – Tokyo 1964, Mexico City 1968, and the 1972 Olympics in Munich.
On each occasion, His Majesty failed to win a medal, however, he did have the honour of carrying the Norwegian flag at the Opening Ceremony in Tokyo.
